by S M Mala
‘You said we had to get there by nine thirty,’ Molly said, noticing he’d screwed up his face.
‘You don’t want to see me again, is that what you’re saying?’
‘I’m saying, don’t go making promises you can’t keep because you’re trying to be nice.’
‘I am nice.’
‘I know you are.’
‘Then why ‘dunno’?’
‘I don’t want to get my hopes up only to be let down again.’
‘Let down by whom?’
‘Jamie, let’s go,’ she said, getting agitated and walking to the door.
He followed behind, and she noticed it was Colin’s smart Mercedes ready to take them to the party in a restaurant.
‘My Molly, you’re lookin’ good girl!’ laughed Colin as he opened the door. ‘And sir, you don’t look too bad yourself.’
‘Thank you,’ Molly said and noticed Jamie shot her a quizzical glance.
They got in, and he sat in silence as she chatted away with Colin about what happened at work over Christmas. Jamie then grabbed her hand and placed it in his palm, still not talking.
When they parked up and Molly got out of the car, Jamie then decided to talk to Colin. She watched the little brat scowl before walking up to her and slinging his arm around her shoulders.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, looking up at him.
‘You don’t like me as much as I like you.’
‘Are you me? How would you know?’
‘Well, firstly you would have agreed to see me after 31st. You should be jumping in the air out of utter delight.’ He sniffed. ‘I’m too upset to speak.’
Then she laughed.
‘Oh Jamie,’ she said, touching his face so he’d look at her. ‘I want to see you so much but every time I hope for something, I get let down. So I have to be prepared for the worse.’
‘Not with me.’
It was like a massive punch to her chest.
The overwhelming feeling of love and seeing he was sincere.
Jamie kissed her cheek and then whispered,
‘I really, really like you.’
‘I really like you too.’
They hugged, and she felt oblivious to the world and surroundings, only wanting to be with him.
But, alas, this was the biggest party night of the year.
‘Let’s dance the night away,’ he said and pulled her into the fun.
A few hours later, they were both a bit pissed and happy, dancing away. Jamie knew lots people, but she was still taken aback how women would openly eye him up. She wondered if he noticed or was pretending not to because she was there.
‘Hello there,’ a voice said. She turned to see Bill. ‘What a surprise!’
‘My, you look lovely,’ he said then she noticed Chloe was talking to Jamie at the bar.
‘Thank you.’
Molly couldn’t stop from looking at Jamie and Chloe whispering, as Bill turned around to see what had caught her attention.
‘She wanted to come tonight,’ he shrugged, looking back at Molly. ‘We know a few people here.’
Chloe kissed Jamie on the cheek. Molly noticed it wasn’t just a peck then the woman looked into Jamie’s eyes.
The love punch had been replaced with the jealous one, and for the first time in weeks Molly wondered if she’d been set up.
‘And I have good news,’ he said, leading her away, so she couldn’t keep an eye on the couple. ‘Are you listening?’
‘Yes,’ she said, looking up into Bill’s smiling face.
‘Some people want to talk to you in a few weeks about your scripts and ideas.’
‘What? Really?’
‘Yes, really,’ he laughed and took her away from the crowd. ‘They loved the humour and the idea the baboon is a boxer seems to have gone down well.’ Then he flicked a glance where they had been standing. ‘Not based on anyone in particular, is it?’
‘I’ve been doing this boxing training and it seemed a good idea to have Bert boxing, that way he gets to wear mini boxing gloves.’
She noticed Bill was staring.
‘How’s it going with young Mr Cohen? You both still look very happy.’
Feeling a little light headed and wanting to go back to see what Jamie was up to, she thought hard.
‘Why did you say I was bait? I told Jamie and-.’
‘What did he say?’ asked Bill, moving closer. ‘Anything?’
‘He didn’t answer.’
‘Molly, I know right now you’re not listening but be aware that Jamie’s not straight forward. Charming and funny as he is, he’s going to string you along to get what he wants.’
She didn’t want to hear it so sipped her drink, her eyes following in the direction where she thought Jamie was.
‘Why would he do that?’ she asked quietly.
‘Because he can.’
‘He wouldn’t play with my heart.’
‘You’re talking about heart?’ Bill seemed concerned. ‘And you think Jamie, after getting his heart broken nearly a year ago, is ready to trust someone again?’ He shook his head. ‘And you? Knowing what I know about your previous relationship, do you think being with Jamie is a wise move? He’ll chew you up and spit you out.’
‘We like each other.’
‘I thought you loved each other?’ he asked, a smirk appearing on his lips. ‘That boy has done some stupid things in the past, I know that. But sometimes…’ Bill moved closer. ‘To rectify a mistake doesn’t mean you have to leave bodies scattered, does it?’
‘I’m a bit drunk, Bill,’ Molly gulped, feeling worried. ‘Are you saying he’s going to leave me in bits?’
‘My darling,’ he whispered, touching her shoulder gently. ‘I know he’ll leave you when he’s ready and probably in pieces, from what I can see.’
Bill then glanced over her shoulder and pulled his hand away.
‘Where did you get to?’ Jamie asked. Molly searched Bill’s eyes for some reassurance. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’
‘But not hard enough?’ interjected Bill, before whispering. ‘Keep your guard up.’
Avoiding eye contact, she nodded. He walked away, and Jamie gently pulled her arm so she’d turn around.
‘What did he say?’
‘Asked me how I was,’ she shrugged. ‘And what did Chloe say?’
‘Same thing.’
The look they gave each other showed distrust.
‘I asked him why he said I was bait. He didn’t answer.’
Jamie closed his eyes and shook his head, momentarily looking angry. He then grimaced.
‘Bill does this,’ he whispered. ‘Makes everyone doubt themselves and all around them.’
‘Have I got a reason to doubt you?’
Week ten of the engagement – one two combo
‘That was a very big hang over.’
Molly watched Jamie walk into the bar early Saturday evening before laughing. ‘I’ve never seen you so drunk. I thought staying in bed all New Year’s Day you must have got it bad. But yesterday? I pondered whether you were dead.’
‘I’m never drinking again,’ he grimaced. ‘That’s it!’
She laughed harder, shaking her head.
‘How bad was I?’ Jamie sat back and was preparing himself. ‘Let rip.’
‘You were very frisky and couldn’t keep your hands off me,’ Molly said, watching him smile. ‘And like a typical man, you promised me the world then managed to pass out drunk on the bed. Very similar to how you were the first night we stayed in a hotel.’
‘And I was embarrassing?’
‘You were very funny and it makes me like you even more.’ The comment was very honest when she watched him smile. ‘You’re also a handful to deal with when giggling like a six-year-old girl.’
‘Sorry, I had to leave yesterday. I needed to get back home to Islington.’
‘Islington?’
‘Oh god, I must still be drunk,’ he laughed uncomfortably. ‘I used to live ther
e. See what alcohol does? I also went to the gym.’
‘Could you actually box straight?’
‘I tried.’
Jamie then moved closer, grabbing the back of her head. Molly looked into the beautiful hazel brown eyes. She was completely lost and in love with the rogue.
‘Thank you for looking after me. It must have been a horrible start to the year,’ he whispered, kissing her face.
‘I can’t complain. You were naked and faced down for the majority of the time. I’m pleased you didn’t projectile vomit when I fed you the painkillers.’ She then kissed his lips very gently. ‘And you did kiss me for an hour after the clock struck midnight before turning into a drunken pumpkin.’
They looked at each other, both with a half-smile and he rested his head against hers. All she could do was hear his breathing.
‘Even though I was paralysed through my alcohol poisoning, all I kept thinking about was you. And knowing I was in your bed made it wonderful.’
‘Jamie, when you say things like that, everything becomes confusing.’
‘I don’t care.’ He grabbed her face in his hands. ‘I’m telling the truth.’
Then they kissed.
It did take her breath away.
‘Would you like a drink?’ she eventually asked, watching a passing waiter.
‘Yes please. A bottle of beer.’
‘That’s alcohol.’
‘I know.’
‘Do you have a drink problem?’ she asked seriously. ‘You can’t seem to hold it.’
‘Yes I do,’ he said moving closer. ‘I can’t get enough of it.’ Jamie started to laugh. ‘In all seriousness, I don’t have a problem with alcohol. I rarely drink in the weekdays. Sometimes, when I’m a bit nervous like situations out of my comfort zone, I have a drink. On New Year’s Eve, I was blissfully happy, and the booze got the better of me. It wasn’t how I planned the evening to turn out.’
‘What was the plan?’ she asked seeing his cheeky grin.
‘I’m still working on it.’
She looked at him, looking dishevelled and sexy on the chair and wanted to be honest with him. Since seeing him with Chloe on New Year’s Eve and what Bill said, there were doubts creeping in.
‘Jamie,’ she said and he instantly narrowed his eyes. ‘Bill has been helping me with getting some of my ideas listened to. He set all the wheels in motion.’
‘Why would he want to help you?’ There was a dark expression on his face. ‘I know he has connections but why you?’
‘His daughter liked Bert the-.’
‘Do you know how his daughter was conceived?’ he sharply interrupted. ‘Chloe wanted kids and he didn’t. Something happened in their marriage; they took a break and guess what happened? He fell in love with another woman, got her pregnant, and that’s how he got his daughter.’
‘Oh god, I didn’t know that.’ Molly put her hand over her mouth. ‘Why didn’t he stay with the mother?’
‘Oh, he wanted to but she died due to a medical complication. Bill was left with a child and asked Chloe to help bring her up. I think that’s when they got back together, but she couldn’t. Luckily, Beatrice has an aunt, and she took her in.’ Then he looked agitated. ‘He gets what he wants all the time. He’s here to be a good father, but he comes to London all the time. That’s how I managed to hook up with Chloe. She spends quite a lot of time here, alone.’
It was very obvious to Molly something bugged Jamie about Bill.
‘Are you still sleeping with her?’ Molly knew she shouldn’t ask. The vision of them standing at the bar, talking intimately, came into her head. ‘She knows you’re not the faithful type when it comes to me. Does she think we’re true?’
‘Are we true?’ Jamie looked at her. ‘Tell me.’
‘I want it to be but…’ Molly looked away. ‘We’ve started off on a fib, so I’m not sure.’ Taking a deep breath, she looked straight into his eyes, knowing what she really wanted. ‘The best thing to do is go home to make sure, don’t you think?’
‘My hands are shaking.’
Jamie was trying to undo her bra but seemed to be all fingers and thumbs. ‘I might have Parkinson’s.’
She straddled him on the sofa, slowly undoing the buttons of his shirt.
‘I think I’m nervous,’ he laughed and Molly could tell he was.
‘We’ll go slowly.’
‘That’s usually my line.’
Gradually, she pushed away the shirt and stroked his chest. Jamie was looking at her, and it seemed he was holding his breath.
Molly traced his face with her lips before resting them on his chin, biting it gently and feeling the bristles on her tongue. She continued to kiss all the way down his chest, slipping off his lap until she got to his stomach. Placing tiny kisses, she smiled up at him.
‘I want to take you to bed,’ she whispered.
Jamie nodded and got to his feet, pulling her up at the same time. Taking his hand, she led him to the bedroom and stopped by the bed. Undressing him slowly, she kissed his chest and felt him shiver.
‘Are you cold? Do you want me to put the heating on?’ she asked, watching his jeans drop to the floor.
‘I just want you.’
Smiling brightly, she took off her clothes and walked backwards, laying on the bed. He slowly took of his underpants and slid on top, his mouth heading for hers.
It was a long, slow kiss. She felt his hands run up and down her body before settling on her breasts, his tongue whirling in her head. The gentle caressing of each other’s bodies couldn’t hide the fact what was going to happen next.
Pulling her lips away, she smiled and reached over to her side drawer, pulling out a condom and placing the packet on her nose.
‘I see. You have a few of these?’ he asked, taking it off her face.
‘I bought a whole lot but then got dumped a week later. The sell by date’s still good.’
Jamie took it and sat up on his knees, then kissed her lips. She could see he was fumbling and pulled a strained face when he slid the sheath on.
‘How are you, Molly Drew?’ he whispered, pressing his body against skin.
‘Mr Cohen, how’s it goin’?’
‘It’s going to go in,’ Jamie sighed and put his hand either side of her face.
Parting her thighs and lifting up her hips, she felt him touch her before pushing all the way in, making Molly buckle under the initial orgasm.
Then he moved very slowly, his hands still by her head, all the time looking at her. They kissed. She squeezed his arse and slightly scratched his back feeling his hips thrust.
It was perfect.
He was perfect.
They fitted perfectly together.
Kissing her so gently, looking into her eyes as if it meant something.
It meant everything to her.
Grabbing him, she pulled him closer so she could taste his mouth, feel his tongue.
Everything was stirring in her body. Love, lust and the feeling of him being so close.
The gentleness of the love making over whelmed her.
‘Molly,’ he whispered, kissing her neck. ‘I… I…’
Just then she thought he was going to tell her he loved her, and she was going to tell him too.
‘Yes,’ she said, her heart thumping.
‘I think I could do this three times! I really do!’ he shouted reaching his orgasm.
And she laughed because that made Jamie Cohen more special than ever.
You were never quite sure what he’d say or do next.
But one thing she was sure about.
She was in love with Jamie.
‘You’re funny.’
Jamie said, while stroking her back as they lay in bed. It had been forty five minutes, and they’d not spoken much. Both of them were faced down, heads on pillows and looking at each other. ‘Very funny.’
‘I’ve not said anything.’
‘You don’t have to. Today I was seduced.’
�
��Did you like it?’
‘Loved it,’ he grinned, placing his hand on her arse. ‘You know, I was hoping today would have happened on New Year’s Day. That was my plan. To go out, celebrate and spend all day making love. Not lie in bed nursing the worst hang over in the world.’
‘So you were planning to seduce me?’ Molly turned to lie on her side so she could examine him closely. The sight made her gasp. He looked gorgeous. She had to grin. ‘And how would you have done that?’
‘Got you drunk. I know what you’re like with a few in you so I could get one in you.’
‘Just the one?’
‘The engine’s turning over right now.’
Reaching out, she stroked his face as his eyes closed in response.
‘And talking about Butlins,’ Jamie said, opening his eyes. ‘The well-known British tourist trap.’
‘We weren’t talking about Butlins.’
‘I thought we were talking about bunk ups?’
‘‘Bunk ups’ being another one of your romantic words for sex.’
‘Making love.’
‘I stand corrected.’ Molly laughed. ‘You’re the funny one. Seriously, you lack a romantic gene.’
Jamie turned and propped his head up on his hand. His eyes travelled up and down her body.
‘I can be very romantic,’ he sighed, leaning forward to kiss her nose and placed his hand on her hips. ‘But I don’t think that’s what you want. You need someone to make you laugh which I do.’
She smiled, examining his face. The stubble was a little thick, but the eyes were bright and gentle. Looking at him up and down, he was too perfect to be in her bed.
‘What are you doing?’ Molly found herself sitting up and turning to look at Jamie. ‘What are we doing?’
‘Post coital talking?’ he replied then laughed. ‘Is there a problem?’
‘Did you think you’d get a leg over just to pass the time of day? I need to know if I’m being used. It wouldn’t be the first time, and I doubt if it’d be the last.’
‘We were talking about Butlins.’
‘Jamie don’t make a fool out of me.’ Taking a deep breath, she flung herself back on the bed. ‘If you tell me how it is, then at least there’ll be no nasty surprises.’